Jammu: Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir unit has demanded immediate resumption of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Yatra and issuance of a white paper on the damage caused by natural disasters and landslides and safety of the Yatra route.
In a press conference held today at the party’s state central office, state chief Manish Sahni said that only a few days are left for the start of Navratri, the biggest religious festival of Hindus, there is confusion about the resumption of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Yatra. While during this time, devotees of the mother from all over the country and abroad reach Shri Mata Vaishnodevi shrine with their wishes.
Except for the Corona period, perhaps never in history has the Yatra been postponed for so many days. He said that the Yatra was stopped after the disastrous rains and landslide incident on 26th August (in which 34 devotees died). Although the resumption of the Yatra was announced on 14th September, but on 13th September, citing the weather, the Yatra was once again postponed till further orders.
He said that the Shrine Board’s silence on the damage caused to the yatra route and the ongoing delay in resumption of the yatra have hurt religious sentiments and have raised many questions.
Suspicions are being raised that the yatra route is unsafe and the safety of the pilgrims is in danger due to natural disasters and reckless development, cutting of mountains, destruction of the yatra form, landslides of mountains etc. Sahni has issued a white letter to Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board demanding clarification of the situation. The traditional Charri Yatra is also getting affected on the auspicious Navratri.
Sahni said that due to the suspension of the yatra, shopkeepers and traders, including the services of horses, Bittu, Palki etc. on the yatra route, are facing huge financial losses. Sahni has appealed to the Shrine Board to refrain from indiscriminate development and to provide development and facilities keeping in mind the nature of the Yatra.Vikas Bakshi, Balwant Singh, Vinod Happy, Sanjeev Sharma were present on this occasion.